What to do about loud neighbors?

Question

We just got new neighbor across the street and my family was really excited because we figgured anything would be better than the old ones. but we were wrong.

im a teenager and when i was that some young people were moving in I was pretty excited but for the two days they have lived there, every night their band practices. The drummer, bass, and guitar players are not bad, but their amps are up too loud and their singer is horrible!!

It is loud and annoying and I can imagine that this will happen every night

What do I do?

Answer 1

start a polka band and play louder than them.

added 2-8-07: I thought about your dilemma a little more and realized the easiest way to avoid the noise is to shove screwdrivers in your ears...now you cannot hear anything...
ahhh...peace and quiet..... what?.......whaaaat?
...sorry, I can't hear you.

Answer 2

There are two common reactions to noise coming from a neighbor. The first is resignation. You hate the noise, but you do nothing. The second is anger. You lose your temper and call the cops. There are better ways to handle the situation.

1. Approach the Neighbor. Raising a problem with a neighbor is not easy. But it should always be the first step and, if done with respect and sensitivity, may be the last.

2. Often the neighbor is unaware of a problem--for instance, the dog barks only when nobody is home. Assume that the neighbor doesn't know and would like to be told.

3. If you are being bothered, someone else probably is too. The greater the number of people complaining, the faster the relief should be

4. Warn the Neighbor. If complaining doesn't work, get a copy of your local noise ordinance at city hall or the public library. Send a copy to the neighbor with a note repeating your request to keep the noise down and explaining that you'll be forced to notify the authorities if you don't get results.

5. If you rent or live in a planned development, send a copy of the lease agreement or special rules to the neighbor. If that doesn't work, report the problem to the landlord in writing. Especially if several tenants complain at the same time, the landlord will probably order the tenant to quiet down or face eviction.

6. Suggest Mediation. If you value the neighbor relationship at all, or just want peace in the future, give mediation a try. You and the
neighbor can sit down together with an impartial mediator and resolve your own problems. Mediation services are available in most cities and often they are free. Simply call the mediation center, and it will then contact the neighbor for you. Especially if there are problems other than noise, the neighbor may be delighted at a chance to be heard.

7. Call the Police. No response from the neighbor? Stereo turned up another notch? Now is the time to bring in the police (or, if the problem is a barking dog, the Animal Control Department). If you have tried to solve the problem yourself, the police will know your complaint is serious and that you need help.

8. Try to notify the police while the noise is continuing, so they can measure the noise or hear it for themselves. (Some people simply hold the phone out the window.) Sometimes cities won't act until the noise affects two or more persons, to prevent complaints from excessively sensitive people.

9. Sue for Nuisance. As a last resort, you can sue in small claims court. It's easy and inexpensive, and you don't need a lawyer. ..."

Answer 3

I know this is a corny thing to say (and I know how annoying noise can be at night), but someone once asked my mother why certain teenagers' noise didn't bother her. She said, "I just think they're being happy. Sounds don't bother me when they're coming from people who are happy. What I don't want to hear is fighting."

The neighbors are new. Maybe the kids need to find a new place to practice and for now they're practicing at the house. I think people should give them a little while to see if it stops on its own. After all, why descend on new neighbors too soon. They've only lived there two days. The kids may not know where to go to practice right now.

I think the neighbors and your family should wait - dare I say it - a couple of weeks to see what happens. If its still going on then it would seem a little more reasonable at that time to then ask the neighbors if they could just turn down the amps, particularly after a certain time. Someone could point out "so-and-so's" house, where there are small children who can't sleep or "so-and-so's" house, where there is an elderly person who can't sleep.

There's a good chance the neighbors will be cooperative, and if it turns out police have to be called after they aren't at least there would be a three-week history of their behavior to complain about (rather than two days).

Answer 4

I believe that If I were in your situation I would do the following:

I would start by talking with this new neighbors perhaps there are very reasonable people,and they could move sooner their rehearsals.

If that doesn't work I would ask for help with the surrounding neighbors perhaps a collect of signs or some stuff like that . I'm sure that would make more pressure on them.

If there is no response from the band I'm sure that there are laws in your country that support you so it would be just matter to call a police to quiet them down.

On the other hand If you don't want to make trouble with them perhaps you could try something like noise cancellation headphones (the ones that are for relaxation that cancell atmospheric sound) or the something like the gun fire practice ear protectors. There are also noise cancellation insulators for walls that might work (I really dont know much about this ones).

Well I think thats all . Good luck

Answer 5

Tell them that as a neighbor they have to agree with a schedule for their rehearsals at certain times and on certain days because they can't just blast anyone at anytime. If they won't do this contact the landlord and tell him that his property may be seized because of an extra loud rock band that may be breaking several laws. Once the landlord had been notified he can't claim ignorance in the courts but becomes complacent to breaking the laws if he does nothing. Finally go to the police with your letter to the landlord which should be dated. They may make 3 visits before a fine is levied. After several fines you can tell the owner of the property you and the other neighbors will bring a class action law suit against him and his tendents. If he doesn't take him to small claims court and let the courts decide if he was imbinging on your rights.

Answer 6

First, talk to them about the noise. Perhaps they don't realise just how loud they are. If all else fails, call the police and complain. I had the same problem with the people across the street. The music would be so loud the pictures on my walls would rattle. Eventually they got tired of having the police at their door and they moved. Apparently that was easier than adjusting the sound level.

Answer 7

I would have your parents write them a note and tell them that the noise level is bothering your family. Make sure you keep a copy of this letter. If they fail to comply, then contact the police or neighborhood association. Make sure you show them the letter, so that they know you didn't just storm over there and yell at them. Consider recording the sound through a camcorder or tape recorder from your house. If this ends up going to court (God Forbid), then you'll need evidence.

Answer 8

Call the cops. Most neighborhoods have noise ordinances.

If that doesn't work, then make a lot of noise when they go to sleep at night and give them an idea of how it feels.

Sometimes, stepping outside at 3 AM and barking four or five times will get every dog in the neighborhood going. Get creative!

Answer 9

if its too late night call the cops. maybe go over ther and kindly let them know that during the day is cool, but at night people usually sleep and maybe they should lay off of the crack. my downstairs neighbor is so loud. she blares here stereo at 3:00 a.m. and we just bang on the walls and she usually stops or we tell the managers. for you though just call the cops or get a big friend to treaten them.

Answer 10

Make a copy of your favourite CD and then take it over to them. Explain that if they want to have their Hi-Fi so loud then at least they could play something you like rather than their rubbish.

If that doesn't work, call the police and ask them to enforce the local noise abatement ordnance.

Answer 11

to be nice and sneak yo could right a note, "everyone on the block can hear you and it's loud. could you please turn it down" and leave it in the mail box. if they don't do anything then call the police but make sure you know your cities ordnance for what time people have to be quiet and the decibels they're aloud otherwise they won't do anything.